US Warns Middle East of Escalation Risk After Yemen Conflict Spills into Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier than scheduled from Camp David amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following a Houthi missile attack on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital. The White House did not explain the president's early departure, but the U.S. issued renewed warnings to the Middle East, this time specifically mentioning the Iran-backed Houthis alongside Iran.

The U.S. State Department alerted American embassies across the region, including in Israel, about the complex security situation and the potential for unexpected escalation. U.S. citizens were advised to exercise increased vigilance, as flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions were possible. The warning highlighted the Houthis' "hostile actions against Saudi Arabia," including attacks on civilian airports, and noted the potential for rapid escalation of the conflict.

Saudi Arabia reported intercepting one ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, with residents hearing an explosion but no casualties or damage reported. The Kingdom also stated that Houthi attempts to strike civilian infrastructure in Yanbu, Taif, Bisha, and Jizan were thwarted. Conversely, the Houthis claimed to have hit "sensitive sites" in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu, alleging "huge fires."

Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran would not return to previous negotiation terms or allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and its rights are recognized. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told Al Jazeera that Iran is prepared for a "decisive war" and did not rule out future changes to its nuclear doctrine. He claimed that the U.S. and Netanyahu initiated the war and that Washington's interest lies in accepting Iran's conditions for ending it, listing demands such as ending the war on all fronts, releasing frozen funds, and lifting the U.S. naval blockade on oil exports.

U.S. officials believe the Houthis are not entirely controlled by Iran but rely on them for fuel, suggesting their stated reasons for the current attacks may not fully reflect reality. The escalating conflict in Yemen is seen by some as another front in the broader Iran-U.S. confrontation, with concerns that progress with Tehran is unlikely without resolving the Houthi issue.